GOLD COAST CHRISTMAS LIGHTS COCKTAIL CRUISE

Step aboard YOLO, a new to the Gold Coast waterways luxury catamaran and indulge in an unforgettable evening on the sparkling Gold Coast waterways.

✨ An Exclusive Dining Experience

Celebrate the season with a specially curated Christmas‑themed cocktail canape dinner, crafted to delight your senses as you sip and savour under the stars.

A Festive Journey Like No Other

Glide past the shimmering canals of Southport Broadwater and Runaway Bay, where homes along the glitter strip dazzle with enchanting Christmas light displays.

A Special Evening to Share

Whether with family, friends, or colleagues, this cruise offers the perfect blend of elegance, celebration, and holiday cheer—an alternative to the traditional bus tour.

Reserve Your Place Today

Seats are limited for this one‑of‑a‑kind Christmas lights cruise. Secure your tickets now and make this festive season truly magical.

What's In Store for You:

Unforgettable Atmosphere: Step into a wonderland of dazzling lights as the sun sets and the Gold Coast canals and Broadwater come alive with the magic of Christmas. Our carefully selected route promises a Christmassy display that is sure to get you into the holiday spirit.

Complimentary Welcome Drink

Begin your festive journey with a sparkling arrival drink, perfectly setting the mood for an evening of celebration on the water.

Charcuterie & Canapés Served On Board

The culinary experience begins the moment you step aboard — Enjoy a beautifully presented charcuterie board and gourmet canapés as the cruise sets sail.

Cocktail Canapé Dinner

Savour a hand‑crafted selection of festive flavours, featuring locally sourced King Prawns, succulent Turkey, roast Duck, traditional Christmas Ham, and vibrant vegetarian creations.

Hot Selection

BBQ Butterfly King Prawns

• Juicy, locally sourced,fresh trawler caught king prawns grilled over smoky coals. (GF)

• King Prawns, Mango, lime, red chilli, coriander, mint salsa on the side (VEG, GF)

• Duck and Hoisin Pancakes, Cucumber, Shallot (GF)

Cold Selection

King Prawns

Fresh King Prawns, lemon, cocktail sources, locally sourced, trawler caught.(GF)

Festive Roasted Vegetable Salad (VEG)

• Roasted pumpkin, beetroot, and baby carrots. Tossed with rocket, candied pecans, and a maple-balsamic glaze. (VEG, GF)

Chicken and Turkey

• Turkey rolled with cranberry relish, cream cheese, sliced tortilla pin wheels

• Chicken Wing Dings

Christmas Sliders

• Caprese Sliders, vegetarian mozarella slices, cherry tomatoes, basil leaf (VEG, GF)

• Christmas double smoked ham, rocket, truffle mayo, parmesian, mini brioche buns

Artisan Cheese & Charcuterie Grazing Boards

• Decadent creamy, sharp, and aged cheeses varieties, with festive garnishes

(Rennet and VEG, GF)

• Assorted mixed nuts, crisps and crackers.

• Assorted mixed nuts, crisps and crackers.(VEG,GF)

• Garnished with fresh figs, seasonal berries, pomegranate (VEG,GF)

Decadent Dessert Selection

Fruity Mini Pavlovas (VEG,GF)

Festive Season Fruit Platter (VEG,GF)

Hand Made Gingerbread Cookies

Signature Hand Made Christmas Chocolate

(VEG) Vegetarian

☕ Holiday Special - A Signature Hand Made Hot Chocolate: Warm up your spirits with our specially crafted holiday hot chocolate. It's the perfect treat to sip as you take in the breathtaking views.

Drinks: Cash Bar operates from the catamaran's on board bar. No BYO. BYO Drinks cannot be taken on board..

Themed Music: Get ready to groove to the beats of our curated playlist featuring the best holiday tunes and festive classics. Let the music elevate your experience and keep the party going. We may even stop the tunes for a karaoke carolling session.

Attire - Comfortable, summer, Gold Coast casual or boating attire with a Christmas splash. Depending on the weather, light winds may require a jumper.

Christmas Best Dressed Competition: Take home a prize. Show off your festive flair and creativity! Whether you opt for classic holiday elegance or quirky Christmas charm, let your style shine!

Limited Availability: This exclusive experience is designed for a small group of adults, 30 people maximum, ensuring an intimate and personalized adventure. Adults only (18+). Cruise on 23rd December can be booked for children.

Date and Duration: Revel in the festivities for 2 unforgettable hours on our Christmas Lights Cruise that promises to be a thoroughly enjoyable evening in your holiday season calendar.

Cruise times: 630pm to 830pm

Don't miss out on this fun seasonal opportunity to enhance your holiday calendar. Join us on the Gold Coast for an unforgettable evening of laughter, lights, and love on this fun cruise experience. Secure your spot now and make this holiday season truly special! ??

Additional Information:

Tickets:

Adults $138.50

Child $118.50

Adult tickets are 15yrs and above.

Child tickets are available for the cruise on 23rd December only. Child tickets are 3yrs to 14 yrs. Under 3 years is free. Please advise us the day of ticket purchase if an under 3yrs child will accompany you.

Important: Vessel Rules and Regulations.

No alcohol permitted to be taken on board.

The boat is not accessible.

Specific terms and conditions for this ticket purchase is provided during checkout. Please read all terms and conditions.

☂️Important T&C's: This is an all weather event. The event will proceed in wet weather as the boat has a roof cover. The menu includes nuts, milk, soy, egg, gluten, seafood and shellfish. Full refund 7 days or more before the event or if the cruise is cancelled due to an issue in our control. In the case of a severe electrical storm or high winds or any other event out of our control, the event will be rescheduled. Alternatively, you can choose a credit towards our other South East Queensland tours, wine tours, adventure tours, road trips or cruise events valid for three years. This event is operated by Hey! GC. Tax invoice issued at time of purchase

Embark on a Bucket List Wildlife Adventure in South East Queensland! 

Get ready to tick off your Australian animal bucket list with our Native Wildlife Expedition departing from Gold Coast! ✨

Join us on an exploration of the untamed beauty of nature, seeking out the iconic and elusive creatures that make Australia truly unique.

Our Wildlife Encounters:

GC's Famous Five: Kangaroos, Koalas, Kookaburras, Platypus, and Possums! This is our primary objective

We may also see the following animals which are all residents of the Gold Coast, Scenic Rim and Northern NSW regions.

Wallabies, Pademelons, Sugargliders, Cockatoos, and the magnificent Peacock (ok, so technically not native to Australia, but hey, who doesn't want to see a Peacock stroll on past).

Rainbow Lorikeets, Galah's, Corella's, Tawny Frogmouths, and the rare Spotted Tail Quoll (we would be so lucky)

Monitor Lizards, Goannas, Water Dragons, Frill-necked Lizards, and Dingo's.

Flying Fox, Bats, Echidnas, Turtles, Bin Chickens, Bush Turkeys & Pelicans.

INCLUDES A GLOW WORM TRAIL - Discover the enchanting world of Glow Worms in a secret cave, adding a touch of magic to your wildlife expedition. 

Explore the ancient rainforests of Gondwana land and the Gold Coast Hinterland & Scenic Rim.

✅Grab yourself a "Wild Down Under Passport" as you board your discovery vehicle.  This is your personalised guide to the extraordinary creatures awaiting your discovery. This passport is not just a checklist; it's a documented journey through your bucket list of iconic Aussie animals. From the famous Kangaroos, Koalas, and Kookaburras to the elusive Platypus and Spotted Tail Quoll, each stamp or checkmark becomes a tangible memory etched into your wildlife expedition. Capture the essence of your encounters, create lasting memories, and take home a piece of the wild as you make your mark on this extraordinary adventure. This passport is your key to unlocking the wonders of Australia's famous fauna and ensuring that your wildlife bucket list is not just a list but a journey filled with awe and discovery.  Your guide will stamp your passport as and when you find your bucket list animal.  You can document the time and place on each page plus any other scientific notes you'd like to remember about your encounter.   The passport not only includes all of our bucket list itinerary animals but other famous Aussie animals and is designed so that you can use it during the rest of your travels throughout Australia.  Your guide will also be documenting our animal encounters and registering these locations with local wildlife authority and rescue groups.

King Parrot & Lorikeet bird feeding 

Stargazing Magic: Immerse yourself in the brilliance of the Milky Way during our stargazing session. 

Rainforests & Waterfalls

Enjoy wonderful mountain & city scape views at night

Afternoon Tea supplied

Natural Spring Water supplied all day.

Dinner:  Enjoy the charms of a typical Australian Country Pub atmosphere.  Includes 1 main meal & 1 soft drink.

Tour Details:

Date: Departs Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

Departure Time: 1:00 PM

Return Time: 10:30 PM

Age Restriction: 12 and above

Terrain: Uneven & rocky; not suitable for small children or those with mobility issues.

Physical Requirements:

Participants should be prepared for varied length walks and on varying terrain.

Wear comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing.

Paricipants may need to observe periods of 'quiet' time when observing animals or when trying to encourage animals to appear (like the Platypus).

Participants may need to stand for periods of up to 30mins when observing animals.  Where possible you can sit on a rock or grass area. In the case of rain we often stand under a supplied umbrella.

We are not able to accommodate prams, strollers, luggage or large carry bags and mobility devices due to the terrain.

The tour is delivered in English only.

Conservation Message:

Join us in promoting responsible tourism and wildlife conservation. Learn about the incredible species we encounter and their importance to our ecosystem.

Capture the Moment:

Don't forget your cameras! Share your wildlife encounters using #WildlifeBucketListAU and be part of our community.

Notes:

While we strive to offer a glimpse of all listed animals, nature has its own schedule. We cannot guarantee sightings, but we know the best spots for the best opportunities! We will be keeping an eye out for the elusive Platypus.

This tour is fairly fluid in terms of time management.  We may find that we stay longer in one place as the animals are particularly entertaining or move along more quickly if they aren't showing.  Each tour is different and is largely determined by the activity of the animals on the day and the weather & the season.  We will visit many places in the hopes of completing our check list and due to this we may find our selves in different areas on different tours.

INCLUSIONS:

Transfers to and from selected Gold Coast Hotels & Train Stations. Please contact us 24hrs before to arrange your pick up.

Driver & vehicle are with the tour the entire day.

Fully guided tour for 9+hrs with time out breaks

Wildlife Passport

Afternoon Tea

Natural Spring Water provided throughout the tour

1 Main Meal Dinner & 1 Soft Drink

All entry fees where applicable

Licences & Registrations.

Torches

BEFORE YOU BOOK:

Only BRAVE explorers need apply:

You'll need to come prepared for our Aussie Bush environment. Wearing joggers, sneakers, boots etc.  Be prepared for the hot humid weather or rain & storms. You may encounter spiders, snakes, leeches, midgies, mosquitos, horseflies and other 'annoying' bugs.  Our guide will give you advice on how to deal with pests on the tour and is there to assist you.  But you should come prepared. We will be walking around in the bush & rainforest, under tree's and through long grass.

We do not touch or feed the wild animals. 

The tour can run shorter or longer by 30 to 40mins at times, due to weather, group size, traffic, animal activity etc.

Come join us on this immersive journey through the caldera of SEQ/NNSW, the Aussie Bush and the ancient rainforests of Gondwana land! ✨

photo credits: Qld Tourism, NSW Tourism, tour guide for a day.

Your mission should you choose to accept it is to cross the border into New South Wales to the Tweed Byron region, infiltrate 3 distilleries, find the smoking gun and nuetralise a Triple Threat (classified). 

Welcome, you've done your training now become Australia’s newest ‘Secret Tasting Agent’ as we indulge in some of the Gold Coast/Northern Rivers finest artillery that micro breweries and distilleries can manufacture. You’ll be tasked with exploring and surviving one brewery, a rum distillery, a whiskey distillery and finding the smoking gun? Is it a cheese? Is it an ingredient? Is it confectionery? We'll give you hints during the tour to help you find the smoking gun!

As an undercover Special Tasting Agent, you will also get to indulge in some of the finest local region and global cheeses. Intelligence sourced by our cheese experts have enabled them to select the perfect cheese pairings for each drink, so you can enjoy the ultimate flavor experience.

Cheese and wiskey you say? You might be surpised!

Our expert guides will take you through each step of the process, from the brewing of beer to the distillation of whiskey and rum. You will learn about the history of each brewery and distillery, the ingredients used in the brewing and distilling process, and the unique flavors that make each drink special.

We start this covert mission by picking you up from your hotel between 900 and 9:30 am and head straight to our first stop.

First stop is a micro brewery. We will visit a specialty Brewery in Tweed Heads and/or Craft Brewery near Cudgen. Here, you can taste some of the best craft beers in the region and learn about the brewing process.

Next, we visit the Husk Rum Distillery Tumbulgum where you can indulge in some of the finest rum and gin while enjoying some stunning views of the Caldera Coast. You can also learn about the distillation process and the history of rum-making in Australia. This is our morning tea stop.

Our final stop is the Cape Byron Distillery. You will walk through their rainforest while listening to their story how they started this enterprise. Hear about the history of the Big Scrub. See, smell and touch the different native rainforest botanicals that they use to make the award-winning spirits. Make sure you take notes!! Enjoy a tasting of the Cape Byron Single Malt along with other current whisky releases.

Here are a few suggested concoctions perfect for 'Special Tasting Agents' who have it all!

Indulge in a “Double Agent” IPA with aged cheddar cheese: The bold flavors of the IPA complement the sharpness of the cheddar cheese.

Cape Byron Whiskey’s “Spy’s Demise” cocktail with brie cheese: The sweetness of the cocktail pairs well with the creamy texture of the brie cheese.

Husk Rum Distillery’s “Covert Operator” cocktail with gouda cheese: The smokiness of the gouda cheese complements the rich flavors of the rum cocktail.

The tour does not contain a lot of walking. Sometimes you may be required to walk up to 400 meters in a straight line.

We will drop you back to your hotel between 4 and 5pm, but sometimes we are having so much fun that we run an extra bonus half hour late therefore aim for a return to your hotel by 530pm.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for the Tweed Byron Triple Threat

Distillery Tour today and become Australia’s newest Special Tasting Agent. This

trip doesn’t disappoint! 

Please note that a minimum of two people is required. Solo operatives can contact us and we can match you to a tour if the dates align.

Giant Pumpkin & Watermelon Festival - A fun-filled country day trip from the Gold Coast

Join us for a delightfully quirky country escape to the Kyogle Giant Pumpkin & Watermelon Festival — a celebration of oversized produce, old-school fun, live music, and good company.

This is a relaxed, social day trip, perfect for solo travellers, friends, families and fun-loving locals who enjoy something a little different.

The Plan for the Day

7:00am – Depart Gold Coast - We will co-ordinate a suitable pick up location with you upon booking.

Sit back and relax as we head south with your friendly host for the day.

☕ Coffee Stop – Uki

First things first, Coffee!☕  A morning coffee stop in the charming village of Uki.  Quick town explore whilst we queue for coffee.

Arrive at the Festival at approx 10.30am NSW time.

Spend around 2 hours soaking up the atmosphere:

-Marvel at giant pumpkins & watermelons

-Enjoy all-day live music

-Join in or watch line dancing & rock ’n’ roll dancing

-Browse market stalls

-Check out the classic car & motorbike displays

MIDDAY: Long, Leisurely Lunch Break

Escape the midday heat with a relaxed sit-down lunch. We'll book a table to host us at a pub, club or cafe, Lunch is at your expense.

Afternoon Festival Fun

Head back into the action for the highlights:

-Watermelon Eating Competition

-Golden Gumboot Toss

-Vintage corn cracking & shelling demonstrations

-Guess the Weight of the Pumpkin

Depart Kyogle at 3pm NSW time.  Scenic Stop – Hanging Rock

On the way home, enjoy a short stop a Hanging Rock Falls.  .

If you're feeling fresh, take a quick refreshing dip!

☕Afternoon Tea Treat - Picnic Style

We can't leave without trying the Pumpkin. 

-Enjoy Pumpkin Pie & Pumpkin Scones for a sweet afternoon treat.

-Served with hot tea & coffee

5:00pm – Return to the Gold Coast - Drop off locations confirmed upon booking.

Cost: $75 per person

Includes:

-Return transport from the Gold Coast

-Festival entry

-Friendly host for the day

-Pumpkin-themed afternoon tea

Not Included:

-Lunch

-Personal purchases at the festival

Why You’ll Love This Trip

✔ Easy, no-stress day out

✔ Perfect for solo travellers & social explorers

✔ A great mix of fun, nostalgia, and country charm

✔ Quirky experiences you won’t find every weekend

8am - Depart Gold Coast 

Enjoy a Coffee Stop along our way to Flagstone

10am - Arrive at Sunflower Picnic - enjoy markets, lawn games, food stalls and sunflowers.?

A picnic setting will be provided for your lunch.  Lunch can be purchased from the food trucks on site.

After your sunflower photoshoot we will stop off on the way back for some beautiful views and afternoon tea.  Afternoon tea is provided.

Tickets are $75pp.  

Ticket price includes:  

?Driver & Host for the day.

?Transport and pick up from one of our many Gold Coast locations.  Exact pick up location will be advised once we know where you are located.   Drop off will be in the same location.

?Entry to the Sunflower Farm

?Picnic setting

?Coffee/Tea & Afternoon Tea

Note:  Tickets to the Sunflower farm can sell out, therefore these tickets are only subject to availability.  A refund will be provided if tickets to the farm are exhausted.

No refund is offered for change of mind and or less than 5 days notice before the event.

Stanthorpe Apple & Grape Harvest Festival

If you haven’t experienced Stanthorpe yet, Harvest Festival is the perfect introduction. Set in the heart of the Granite Belt, this cool-climate gem is Queensland’s apple capital, renowned for award-winning wines, fresh mountain air — and yes, even the occasional snowfall. With its welcoming country charm and vibrant harvest celebrations, there’s no better time to visit.

The Day at a Glance

6:00am – Depart Gold Coast

Relax and enjoy the scenic drive inland.

We’ll stop along the way for coffee & comfort break.

Arrive in Stanthorpe in time to soak up the atmosphere:

• Parade of Bands (10:30am)

• Grand Parade (2:00pm)

• Street performers & market stalls

• Celebrity Grape Crush (4:00pm)

• Fireworks (6:30pm)

Expect colour, community spirit and pure Granite Belt charm.

Market in the Mountains

Browse exclusively handmade and locally produced treasures at the Civic Centre — art, honey, preserves, jewellery, textiles and more.

Perfect for a meaningful take-home souvenir.

Food & Wine Fiesta Experience

Entry included.

We’ll set up our own HEY! GC picnic home base in Weeroona Park — complete with picnic blankets and chairs.

From here you can:

• Indulge in Granite Belt wine tastings

• Sample gourmet regional produce

• Relax under the trees with live entertainment

And yes… you can enjoy the wine knowing you have a driver home. ✨

Evening Concert & Fireworks

We’ll gather together for the pre-fireworks concert at 6:30pm before the night sky lights up over Stanthorpe.

8:00pm – Depart Stanthorpe

Arrive back on the Gold Coast approx 11:00pm.

A big, beautiful, harvest-filled day.

Why Travel With Us?

✔ No driving

✔ No parking stress

✔ Safe & social for solo travellers

✔ Freedom to wander at your own pace

✔ WhatsApp group chat for easy communication & meet-up points

✔ Dedicated home base picnic area

✔ Chairs provided for parade & fireworks

✔ Fully hosted experience

This is a relaxed but vibrant country festival experience — with just the right balance of structure and freedom

Note: This is an adults only event. Participants must be 18yrs+

Pick Up/Drop off information:  Our Pick Up and Drop off's are determined by our guests locations.  Upon booking we will advise where your nearest pick up centre is. We will try and pick you up from your accommodation if possible. We will also try and drop you at your accommodation. This is usually the case with early morning and late night drop offs.  Once we have everyone's locations we will advise the time and location of the meet.    

Photos: sourced from the Stanthorpe Tourist Information Centre & The Stanthorpe Apple & Grape Harvest Festival

HEY! GC is a local Gold Coast Day Tours company specialising in unique events around SEQ.